A57970:789
Joshua Redivivus, or Mr. Rutherford's Letters
Joshua redivivus, or, Mr. Rutherford's letters divided into two parts, the first, containing these which were written from Aberdeen, where he was confined by a sentence of the high commission ... partly on account of his non-conformance : the second, containing some which were written from Anwoth ... / now published for the use of all the people of God ... by a well-wisher to the work & people of God.Joshua redivivus, or, Mr. Rutherfoord's letters divided into two parts, the first, containing these which were written from Aberdeen, where he was confined by a sentence of the high commission ... partly on account of his non-conformance : the second, containing some which were written from Anwoth ... / now published for the use of all the people of God ... by a wellwisher to the work & people of God.
Rotterdam? : s.n., 1664
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
To the Lady GAITGIRTH. (144)
MISTRESS.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to know how matters stand betwixt Christ and your soul: I know ye find him still the longer the better: time cannot change him in his love: ye may your self ebb & flow, rise & fall, wax & wane, but your Lord is this day as he was yesterday: & it is your comfort that your salvation is not rolled upon wheels of your own making, neither have ye to do with ⟨p. 286⟩a Christ of your own shaping: God hath singled out a Mediator, strong & mighty, if ye & your burdens were as heavy as ten hills or hells, he is able to bear you & save you to the uttermost: Your often seeking to him cannot make you a burden to him. I know, Christ compassionateth you & maketh a moan for you in all your dumps, & under your downcastings; but it is good for you that he hideth himself sometimes, it is not niceness dryness, nor coldness of love, that causeth Christ withdraw & slip in under a curtain & a veil, that ye cannot see him; but he knoweth, ye could not bear with up-sails, a fair gale, a full moon & a high spring-tide of his felt love, & always a fair summer-day & a summer-sun of a felt & possessed & embracing Lord Jesus: His kisses & his visits to his dearest o•es are thin sown: He could not let out his rivers of love upon his own, but th•se rivers would be in hazard to loose a young plant at the root; & he knoweth this of you: Ye should therefore first Christ's kindness as to it's sensible and full manifestations, till ye and he be above sun & moon: that is the country where ye will be enlarged for that love which ye dow not now contain. Cast the burden of your sweet babes upon Christ, & lighten your heart by laying your All upon him, he will be their God. I hope to se you up the mountain yet, & glad in the salvation of God: Frame your self for Christ & gloom not upon his cross. I find him so sweet, that my love, suppose I would charge it to remove from Christ, it would not obey me: His love hath stronger fingers then to let go it's grips of us bairns, who cannot go but by such a hold as Christ. It is good that we want legs of our own, since we may borrow from Christ: & it is our happiness that Christ is under an act of cautionry for heaven, & that Christ is booked in heaven as the principal debtor for such poor bodies as we are.